The Senate yesterday confirmed Justice Sidi Dauda Bage and Justice Paul
Adamu Galinje as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The
confirmation of Bage and Galinje has increased the number of Supreme
Court Justices from 15 to 17. Each of the six geopolitical zones now has
three justices of the Supreme Court, except South-south with two.
Also
yesterday, the Upper Chamber confirmed the nomination of six
commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The
INEC commissioners are Mohammed Haruna (North-central); retired AVM
Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (North-east); Eng. Abubakar Nahuche (North-west);
Professor Okechukwu Ibeano (South-east); May Agbamuche Mbu,
(South-south) and Dr Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (South-west).
Senators
also voted against the confirmation of Mr. Aliyu Saidu Abubakar as
representative of the North east zone in the governing board of the
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Abubakar from Bauchi
State was among the organisers of occupy the National Assembly protest.
The protest was staged shortly after senators bought 36 cars at
N36.5million each in April this year.
Our correspondent reports
that when Abubakar appeared before the Senate Committee on
Communications for screening October 18, he maintained his position on
the scrap of the Senate.
Also rejected was Pastor Ezekiel Yissa
Benjamin who was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to represent
North Central in the Governing board of the commission.
Yissa was Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly during late Mohammed Lawal’s administration.
However, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye as Chairman of the NCC Governing board.
The
Senate also confirmed Mr. Sunday Dare (South-West), Senator Ifeanyi
Ararume (South-east), Mr. Clement Omeiza Baiye (North-Central), and
Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla((South-south) as Non-Executive Commissioners
of the NCC.
Earlier while delivering the report of his Committee
on the screening of the nominees, Senator Gilbert Nnaji(PDP, Enugu)
said Abubakar’s response to questions and issues during the screening
portrayed him as candidate who was not prepared for the job.
On
Yissa’s case, Nnaji said Yissa’s background as a career Nursing Officer
won’t put him in good stead to effectively cope with the dynamics of the
communications sector if he is confirmed.